DOLE targets children from working in dangerous mines

By Peter Balocnit

BALBALAN, Kalinga -- The Department of Labor and Employment provincial office here added more beneficiaries of its project “Angel Tree” by including two barangays of this gold-rich town bringing total of six.

DOLE provincial head, Dr. Alexander Gumabol,  said beneficiary barangays that are host to small-scale mining are given alternative livelihood activities to discourage their children from working in the mines.

Gumabol said dozens of associations in Balbalan were beneficiaries of DOLE’s grant assistance. 

The project benefitted four associations in four barangays where small-scale mining operates. 

This project aims to discourage children into child labor,” he said.

He said children identified at risk, vulnerable to hazard or engaged or engaging as child workers are given school supplies while their parents are organized for a separate livelihood assistance.

In another development, four associations from this town are also recipients of DOLE’s livelihood for employment assistance program.

Gumabol said they are set to turn over sewing machines  toPoblacion Angel Tree Association, mechanized sugar cane crusher (Dapilan) to  Balbalan Proper Namnama Association, postharvest machinery to Centro BanaoAsso. inTalalang; and bakery making /cooking utensils to  Balantoy Empowered Women Association.

He said each association will receive P350,000 worth of equipment, machine and tools which  will be liquidated by the barangay local government unit as conduit of the project.